The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1887-07-22
HE SAVED THE BANK.
A Brave Boys Battle With Bur
glars.

| glars.
''How long have been a bank watch
manp" repeated Daniel McShane, as
he took the pipe from his mouth and
slowly blew the smoke away. ''Well,
sir, I've put in over thirty years at it. -
But you are not more than forty
nowP''
,''Forty-one, sir, and began the bus
mess when 1 was ten years DID,
''That was a tender age, and there
must be a story connected with your
debut
Fright you are, sir, and if you have
half an hour to spare we'll have pot
of beer together and I'll tell you the
| yarn. When I was kid of eight my
father was made night watchman of
the old Traders Bank of Philadelphia.
Every thing was very primitive then,
as you may remember. There were
bad men about, but there was no need
of burglar-proof safes and time locks
to battle them. Banks were then run
about the same as stores. The Trad
ers' opened at eight in the morning
and closed at five in the afternoon, and
the last official did not leave until
seven, at which time my father went
on duty. He was on from that hour
until seven in the morning, but was
not supposed to be awake all the time.
He had cot bed in the office, and
many a night he slept all night without
once opening his eyes, although he
WAS supposed to sleep so lightly that
every noise would arouse him. He
was provided with club and a shot
gun, and there was no fear of his hon
esty or courage.
Things went on very quietly for
couple of years, and I was then en-
ployed as a sort of messenger boy by
restaurant man who kept his place
open all night. If a drunken man
came in, which was a nightly occur
renee, or loafer sought to Jump his
bill, which was often the case, made
run of two blocks to the police sta
ton for an officer. In this way and by
acting as waiter at one of the tables
/ earned a small weekly salary and in
the bargain it was agreed thatI should
carry my father lunch every night at
midnight. This consisted of pail of
hot coffee, a sandwich and a piece of
| pie. 1 was always off at the stroke of
twelve, took a walk of two squares, and
father was generally at the door wait
ing for me.
''You will readily see, sir, that the
circumstances furnished sharp man
the opportunity to do big stroke of
work, but it was two years before they
were taken advantage of. Then a
couple of crooks, one of whom was
from England, set up the racket. For
several nights was followed from the
restaurant to the bank and back. 1t
was known why made the trip, how
father received me and how long I re-
mained inside. My time in the bank
was about quarter of an hour, and
father let me out and some times stood
at the door and watched me down to
the corner. Well, as it turned out, the
crooks put it up to get into the bank as
I came out, or just after / had gone.
They had timed the officer on that beat,
and at half-past twelve he was invaria-
bly, at the other end of his beat, FIVE
squares away. The police business at
that time was run in haphaZard way,
and an officer could sit and sleep in a
doorway or patrol his beat, as he was
inclined. 1t was pretty good man on
that beat but he was a slow walker and
fond of his pipe. AS his smoking was
mostly done at the other end of his
beat, he was certain to take his time
about coming back.
''Did l have my suspicions? I did,
sir. Begging your pardon for what
seems like boasting, but I was ac-
counted a very sharp boy at that age,
and think I realized fathers respon-
/ sibilities more than he did himself. I
was always giving him word of eau
ton, and the very first time was fol-
lowed I suspected that some evil was
intended, and / warned him not to
open the door until / knocked. The
next night the two men were close at
my heels, and would not knock until
they had left me. Father agreed with
me that it was best to be cautious, and
next day the old gun was discharged
and loaded anew. was followed on
the third, fourth and fifth nights, and it
was on this latter night that the climax
came. As left the restaurant / was
joined by one Of the men, who claimed
to be a vessel owner, and who asked
me how would ike to go to sea. He
gave me a lot of taffy about my being
the smartest boy he ever saw, and
wishing to do something for me. and as
arrived at the door he halted with me
and said be would step in and see
father At the same time saw the
policeman smoking his pipe in the next
door.
''Now, sir, I hope you won't lay it up